All Nepali’s want to forget the year 2015. The earthquake in April caused unprecedented human and economic loss, and the crisis resulting from the blockade since September has further compounded the damage. While everyone has been caught up in dealing with the after effects, with the New Year fast approaching it is now time to ponder over some of the management lessons we could learn from this year’s events.
OSCILLATE YOUR VIEW
Like switching between a 30,000 feet view and street view on Google Maps, we need to form different perspectives on our own lives, goals and objectives. We have remained on street view for the bulk of this year; constantly looking at and dealing with immediate problems and solutions. However, it is essential that we not lose our long term vision, or the ability to foresee opportunities and problems from a 30,000 feet view, as it is only then that progress will be made.
STRENGTHENING TIES
The earthquake provided opportunities to get back in touch with friends who we have not met or talked to for ages, but have been offering support be it by getting in touch during the earthquake or providing fuel that they have managed to procure in the recent crisis. It is perhaps a good time to re-strengthen these ties and introspection who your real friends are.
SILENT CRUSADERS
There are those silent crusaders in life, who are never seen or heard of, but continue to do things that they know best. During the earthquake, there were people at the airport tower who continued to work ceaselessly and volunteers who managed to put things together with an ability that pleasantly surprised everyone. At the same time, there have also been people busy clicking #Relfies (selfies with relief materials) post-earthquake, or people making extra money by financing fuel in the black market. It is the silent crusaders who go the long haul. If you are one of them, be proud of the same.
COMPLEMENTING KNOWLEDGE WITH MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Each year thousands of people graduate the same courses and with similar grades, be it doctors, engineers, accountants, lawyers or people with degrees in political science or social science. Why is it that some of them stand out? It is because their knowledge is complemented with the right management and leadership skills. Be it putting together a rescue operation for a hospital, or running a program at a time when hiring a vehicle is expensive or practically impossible. There are always people who will use these issues as an excuse not to deliver, and then there are others who will succeed to deliver as if there were no problems. This is a good time to look within your team members and determine who have these skills. What is it that they have and others don’t?
HUMILITY IS THE WINNER
Take a look around at the silent crusaders, those who are not comfortable with compliments or those who work relentlessly without taking note of time. Natural disasters always provide people with an opportunity to look at their relative insignificance in comparison to what nature can do, and can also help you realize how little control you have over many things in life. The ones with egos will always burst like bubbles, while the humble ones will remain.
